On the question of who buys a stripped luxury car or big car with no options.

I once owned a 1968 Buick Electra 225 2 door hardtop with exactly 2 options: the cheapest AM radio, and the biggest engine available: the 365HP 430 V8 with 10:1 compression.

I have seen similar cars but very few. One was a base 1975 Dodge Monaco 4 door sedan (a C body car, the same body as Chrysler) with a 440 4 barrel motor.

Both these cars had trailer hitches. My theory was that they were bought by middle aged men who wanted a heavy powerful car to pull a trailer but did not want to spend any more than they had to.

The alternative would be that the original owner was used to driving cheap Fords or Plymouths with no power windows, steering or other options. But when they could afford a new car they wanted to buy something good, like a Packard. But they had a budget and could not see splashing out on expensive luxuries they were not used to and didn't miss.

I have never participated in one of the forums before but I am glad I came across this one. It seems I have a car that, for some-other than myself, is more special than I thought it was. Which makes me laugh because of my story with this car and it makes me wonder if people are more surprised that I own it or that they don't see many of them. Maybe both.
If you don't mind, here is a little bit of background on myself and my car:
I was 18 and I had never owned my own car before and it was time to do so. The rules as my Dad and I had decided upon were that if I was paying for it then I was picking it as long as it was in good order. I don't think he expected it when I told him I wanted a classic car as my first car. I also don't think he was expecting me to say that I wanted a 1950's something sedan instead of the "normal" muscle/sports car coveted by teenagers. He gave me a grin and told me that if I could find one... Well, I did. It was listed in the Flint Journal with very few details and no price. To entertain me, we went to see it. The man selling it was tickled when he was told that it wasn't my Dad interested in it but rather his 18 year old daughter. I had never even heard of a Packard but when I saw it, it was perfect. Six years later I still have my first car, my 1956 Clipper Deluxe, in like original condition.

Congratulations on finding such a beautiful car. It is one of the finest cars Packard ever made.

I just received and installed a kit for my '47. I will recommend Then and Now also. Fast service, excellent technical assistance and instructions. Great people to deal with IMO.

Quote:

Also wondering if anyone has tried this item. Have been thinking of getting one and like the idea of remote control operation rather than finding a mounting place for the Cole-Hersee or having to lift the hood each time. I currently use a battery tender also since the car sometimes sits for awhile between starts. Am thinking with this item, although the steady drain protection function would be negated with a tender, the remote off operation, catastrophic short protection & anti theft would still be possible. Anyone have a different opinion or can suggest another solution?

Randy you should post that picture of what happens when the limit switch is bypassed!

Now Online!

Record of Packard Motor Cars (1905-1927)

Thanks to Jim Wayman for the donation of this great piece! I will use it to validate the information in the Model Info pages for those years since this is from the factory as opposed to 3rd party references. I wonder if Packard created these for other years??

Don, thank you for posting those clips. I enjoyed it very much.

The NYC taxicabs of that time were required to carry 5 passenger in the rear compartment.

I did not attend this show. I found someone on Youtube who did.


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